KARGIL, MARCH 18, 2021: Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan inaugurated 2 days long Essential Soft Skills Training Programme for local taxi drivers in tourism sector at Tourist Facilitation Center (TFC) here today.

Executive Councilor for Social Welfare Aga Syed Hassan Arman Mosavi, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and CEO, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kargil Development Authority (KDA) Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Director Tourism Aga Syed Toha, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Khadim Hussain, Presidents of Hotel Association and Taxi Union were present on the occasion besides hundreds of drivers from Taxi Union Kargil participated in the essential soft skills training session.

Speaking on the occasion, CEC Feroz Khan said that the first one to interact with the tourist is either the hotelier or the taxi driver. Till now, we have no complaint of our drivers and even some of the recently visited tourists appreciated their etiquettes, the CEC said.

The CEC said that for the cause and concerns of the drivers of Leh and Kargil, both the LAHDC Leh and Kargil are working jointly to find a solution to their concerns. He urged the drivers to exude necessary etiquettes besides to act on some basic necessities like uniform, first aid, fire extinguishers, seat belt and other necessary requirements.

CEC Khan further said that the UT Administration and LAHDC, Kargil have already developed enough infrastructure for tourism. Now the focus and priority should be on promotion of tourist sites to attract tourist in the region.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve in his speech said that tourists either remain in contact with hoteliers or the drivers. He said that the training session is to train the local drivers for soft skills to know how to interact and deal with the tourists.

Tourism promotes with the words of mouth, thus good behavior with the tourists is must, the Deputy Commissioner added. He urged the drivers to pursue the training session with sincerity and act accordingly in their daily routine.

Former AD Tourism Haji Muhammad Hussain Pashkumpa, ARTO Khadim Hussain and eminent scholar and social activist Ajaz Hussain Munshi were the resource persons to train the drivers in various soft skills and personality development.

Earlier, CEO, KDA Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani welcomed the guests and all dignitaries of the event.